Mine Monitoring

SWP conducts verification monitoring of the environmental monitoring done by Eagle Mine as required by its permits. At this time, environmental monitoring is required by two State of Michigan permits (a Part 632 Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining Permit and a Groundwater Discharge Permit). CEMP verification monitoring categories include: groundwater monitoring, surface water monitoring, and facilities (water treatment plant, TDRSA) monitoring.

2) Additional monitoring

This is environmental monitoring done by SWP over and above the monitoring that Eagle Mine is required to do under its permits. Additional monitoring categories currently include but are not limited to: air quality and weather monitoring (Powell Township and Eagle Mine Air Stations), transportation route sampling (air and surface water), as well as berry/traditional food monitoring as requested by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

The Scorecard Rating System Explained:

The red light used in the rating indicates potential harm to the environment/potential permit violation.

An orange light indicates an area of concern and/or potential impact to the environment

A yellow light indicates an area that is being tracked but currently poses no threat to the environment.

A green light indicates no known risks to the environment.

A white or blank light indicates an area that was not rated.

These “lights” also serve as links (via a click and a pop-up box) to data summary tables, an explanation of the reason for a “tracking” or “area of concern color rating”, and/or a more detailed Monitoring Report.

Potential Harm to the Environment / Potential Permit Violation Area of Concern Tracking No Known Risks to EnvironmentParameter Not Rated

"Click circles for more information."

Mine

Category

QTR 1

QTR 2

QTR 3

QTR 4

Facilities Monitoring:Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA)

Facilities Monitoring:

Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA)

CEMP monitoring confirmed the continued presence of uranium (80.6 ug/L) in the liner of the Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA). CEMP monitoring also confirmed sulfate levels in the TDRSA Leak Detection sump that were above the 500 mg/L concentration listed as a trigger for investigations in the Mine Permit. Based on available monitoring data, these two events do not appear to pose a current threat to the environment.

Facilities Monitoring:

Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA)

CEMP monitoring confirmed that sulfate levels in the TDRSA Leak Detection sump continue to be above the 500 mg/L concentration listed as a trigger for investigations in the Mine Permit. Based on available monitoring data, these levels do not pose a threat to the environment.

Facilities Monitoring:

Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA)

CEMP monitoring confirmed that sulfate levels in the TDRSA Leak Detection sump continue to be above the 500 mg/L concentration listed as a trigger for investigations in the Mine Permit. Based on available monitoring data, these levels do not pose a threat to the environment.

Groundwater Elevations

Groundwater Elevations

Groundwater Elevations

Monitoring results in compliance with permits.

Groundwater Elevations

Monitoring results in compliance with permits.

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater discharge permit groundwater wells continue to be out of compliance with the permit limits for pH (2 locations) and vanadium (2 locations) but are consistent with pre-construction (baseline) data. As such, the permit limits for both pH and vanadium are being reconsidered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in the revised groundwater discharge permit (pending).

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater discharge permit groundwater wells continue to be out of compliance with the permit limits for pH (3 locations) and vanadium (3 locations) but are consistent with pre-construction (baseline) data. The permit limits for both pH and vanadium are being reconsidered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in the revised Groundwater Discharge Permit (pending).

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater discharge permit groundwater wells continue to be out of compliance with the permit limits for pH (2 locations) and vanadium (2 locations) but are consistent with pre-construction (baseline) data. The permit limits for both pH and vanadium are being reconsidered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in the revised Groundwater Discharge Permit (pending).

Groundwater Quality

Metals analysis reported parameters that were outside of established Groundwater Discharge Permit limits for the following monitoring wells:

QAL008A: pH, Vanadium

Parameters outside of established benchmarks under the Mine Permit (Part 632) for at least two consecutive sampling events: